From mercury-based devices to biomedical waste and single-use plastics, healthcare ironically generates a lot of environmental pollution. At the same time, we talk about “do no harm” as the core principle of medicine. Initiatives like mercury-free hospitals, safe sharps management, and greener procurement policies are slowly emerging, but they are still not universal, especially in resource-limited settings.
MBH/AB
From mercury-based devices to biomedical waste and single-use plastics, healthcare ironically generates a lot of environmental pollution. At the same time, we talk about “do no harm” as the core principle of medicine. Initiatives like mercury-free hospitals, safe sharps management, and greener procurement policies are slowly emerging, but they are still not universal, especially in resource-limited settings.
Everyone has the right to live in a healthy environment. However, many times this right is denied. Even hospitals generate large amounts of hazardous waste that can harm the environment. Therefore, strict waste-management practices are essential to ensure a healthy and sustainable living environment.
This is an important point. Healthcare aims to heal, yet its environmental footprint can unintentionally cause harm. Moving toward mercury-free practices, safer waste management, and sustainable procurement is essential, especially in low-resource settings. Greener healthcare isn’t just an option anymore; it’s a responsibility we need to prioritize.
A simple medical device, such as syringes, are used largely every day. These devices should be disposed of in accordance with the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016. But many hospitals in rural and underprivileged areas may not have access to these provisions, leading to disposal into the landfills. We need many illiberal interventions to control waste disposal from hospitals all over the nation.